The Limitation of Man

The systematic search for knowledge began with philosophy. Many great minds in history such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle grappled with this discipline. But philosophy failed to provide man with the ultimate truth. Science too has failed to uncover the absolute truth. Sullivan, in his book Limitations of Science, declares that science gives us but a partial knowledge of reality.

This fact is stated in the Quran in these words, ‘You have been granted but little knowledge.’ (17:85) Man must acknowledge his limitations. He cannot discover the absolute truth on his own. Our limited knowledge is compensated by divine revelation received by prophets. If we do not take help from revelation, we are bound to live in confusion.